Hawks 14th inning homer beats Rattlers
Wisconsin (47-46 overall, 9-14 second half) got off to a start that was as hot as the weather. The Rattlers scored three times in the bottom of the first inning. Mike Walker and Jason Rogers collected back-to-back RBI doubles for a 2-0 lead. Later in the inning, Cody Hawn scored on an error.
But, South Bend (42-50, 8-15) rallied to take the lead. They scored twice in the top of the second inning on an RBI triple by Gerson Montilla and an RBI grounder by Roberto Ortiz. The Hawks added three runs in the top of the fourth inning. Roberto Rodriguez tripled in a run and would score on a single by Montilla. Later in the fourth, Niko Gallefo drove in Montilla for a 5-3 lead.
Wisconsin rallied back to tie the game with single runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Chad Stang tripled with one out in the sixth and scored on a ground out by Joey Paciorek. Rogers delivered an RBI double with two outs in the seventh to even the score 5-5.
The score stayed that way until the eleventh. Greg Holle, who had pitched three scoreless innings, gave up a leadoff double in the top of the eleventh. Adrian Rosario relieved Holle and retired Ender Inciarte on a sacrifice bunt that moved the go ahead run to third. Then, Rosario threw a wild pitch that let in the go ahead run.
But, the Rattlers responded in the bottom of the inning. Reggie Keen singled to start the Wisconsin half of the eleventh inning. One out later, Walker singled to send Keen to third. Rogers followed with a sacrifice fly to tie the game at six.
Rosario retired the first two Silver Hawks in the top of the fourteenth. But, Helm would drive the first pitch he saw in the fourteenth over the wall in left for his fourth home run of the season.
Cody Hawn would single to start the bottom of the fourteenth to extend his hitting streak to 17 games. But, Hawn was left stranded at second base when the game ended.
The Rattlers and Silver Hawks wrap their series on Monday afternoon at Time Warner Cable Field. Game time is 12:05pm. Wisconsin has Brooks Hall (4-2, 4.14) as their scheduled starting pitcher. South Bend has Tyler Green (3-4, 4.91) heading to the mound.
Monday is a bonus Baker Tilly Business Person's Special with a box seat ticket, a beverage, and a brat or hot dog for $11.50 and a business card. Senior citizens may take advantage of this deal, too. Plus, it is a Qdoba Q*Monday. Fans receive a free ticket to any Monday home game when they purchase a lunch entrée at the Qdoba by the Fox River Mall.
Also, the first 1,000 fans will receive a poster of Brooks Hall, which is poster #8 in a series of 10 that are being given away during the 2011 season.
WP: Chris Odegaard (1-0)
LP: Adrian Rosario (0-1)
TIME: 4:48
ATTN: 2,509